The Portland daily press., 1887-11-18
coNNEcTIcuT's CAPITAL.
The Fine state Capitol, Many In
surance offices, and Other Features.
[correspondenee of the Press. /

lOOrTcSpOnucucc VI tuc IIcoo.l
HARTFORD, Conn. Nov. IA, 1sS7.-Maine
people visiting Hartford, the capitol city of
Connecticut, are favorably impressed with
the general appearance.
The objective point is reached by the N. Y.
H. and N. Fl. Railroad, twenty-six miles
from Springfield. The city is systematically
laid out, and the business centers are access
sible by street cars. A rive cent nickle drop
ped into the box pays the fare on all lines to
any part of the city. Hartford was one Of
the oldest Incorporated towns in the State.
1t Is to-day one of the finest cities in New
England; wealthy and politically influential.
It has population of about 10000. The
principal business OF the people Is banking
center of life. fire and accident insurance in
New England. Many of them are old firmly
established companies occupying magnificent
marble and granite edifces: Among the
most noticeable are the buildings OF the
Connecticut Mutual Life, white marble
structure costing upwards Of 1,1C0,OCO. That
of the Charter Oak Life cost nearly one mil
lion dollars. Next to these are the Phoenix,
Hartford, Connecticut and Etna fire. compa-
nies buildings, all large and beautiful struc-
lures The Travellers Accident Insurance
head quarters Is not an imposing building in
architectural design, but Is in part the old
dwelling house of one hundred years ago,
standing on the corner of Grove and Pros
pect streets on grounds ornamented with
beautiful shade and fruit trees. The old
building has been reconstructed from time to
time for the accommodation of the company.
Mr. James G. Patterson and Rodney Dem
mis- the veteran president and secretary are
active in their official duties as in earlier
years. The entire force employed in this
building is 6S persons, five OF whom are lady
clerks.
The company commenced doing business
some % years ago. The trst cash premlum
received was two pennies, in payment for a
verbal contract to insure gentleman while
walking from the p0st-Office to his residence,
1-iof mile. The old coinsshave been care
fully preserved in frame and now decorate
the walls of secretary Dennis's office; The
post-office is fine white marble building oc-
cupying a large square In the business centre
Of the city.
The State capitol approaches from Asylen
Ford, PEARL Turnbull aud other main thor
oughfares, and stands upon elevated grounds
in the eastern part.of the city. II was erect
ed in 1880, at cost Of 81. 534, ,024.46. The to-
tai including the land, which was donated to
the city Of Hartford, was 1882, 550;73.
The edifce is pronounced by all visitors to
be the model capitol building OF the word.
The soldiers and sailors memorial arch Is
located on Trinity street at the southerly
end of the bridge, spanning the Park river,
near the capitol building. II Is built OF
Connecticut free stone. 1t Is Roman arch
lUO Ieeb n1Bu, Uduktu Dy tWO leOuidh toWNAo
81 feet In circumference, from which springs
the arch, ornamented by the largest German
frieze ON the continent The entire cost OF
the structure was S61, ,S7113, large portion
of which was paid by the city. The memori-
alwas dedicated by the Connecticut veterans
Sept. II, 1886
Hartford Is quite manufacturing city al.
fOrding employment to a large number or
skilled workmen and adding wealth to the
State Among the leading manufacturers
are Pratt s. Whitney producers OF Colts's
pistols and firearms. The Weed sewing ma
chine and bicycles company. The Hartford
machine screw company. Smith, Bowen Il
Co., saddlery harness and horse fittings.
Pratt, Cady 4 Co patent specialties. There
are also extensive silk works.
The old "Charter Oak" tree which was de-
mOlished years ago by strong wind has Its
spot Of ground, which is sacred to the men,
ory Of the people Of this State, marked by a
slab properly Inscribed with the date anc
historical notes, which may be read by visi
tors to charter oak place.
The city has never suffered materially from
loss by fire, and has one of the best appoint
ed fire departments in the United States
The current events Of the day at home anC
abroad are made known to the intelligent
readers Of the city and surrounding country
through the columns of five ably conducted
dailies and large number Of weekly Jonr.
nails, issued from American and German
publishing houses.